This Is The Parisian Designer You Need In Your Closet Immediately

Garçons Infidèles is a name to remember.

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Unisex, grunge and easy-going, Garçons Infidèles is the trail-blazing new label by Adrien Albou, who invited us over to his place to discuss how it began, and where it's going. At just two-years-old, Garçons Infidèles has already cultivated a distinctive brand image. It's filled with edgy pieces that have unique details – like a luxurious leather jacket with a fringe running across the back – and quality basics that every French guy and girl should have in their closet.

A designer by day and a DJ by night, Albou is heavily influenced by music, especially the golden age of punk, new wave and grunge, all of which ooze through his collections, that are heavy on the black, with defiant metallic accents and the occasional burst of color. Here's what he told us about his label, designing in Paris, and the various inspirations that make Garçons Infidèles so unique.

Wheretoget: How did this adventure of launching your own label begin?

Adrien Albou: It started two years ago, my brand came to life with my passion for music. I listen to many kinds of music and have collected records since I was a teenager. It was really all about fitting my vibes and influences into something concrete: my clothing collection. For instance, the next line coming up is a mash-up of '70s and '90s styles: velvet and rock'n'roll with a grunge touch.

WTG: What sparked your interest in fashion?

AA: I was born and raised in the fashion world. My mother is the founder of the French brand Paul and Joe. My entire family has been in clothes for decades. I was not even walking and talking when I was watching runway shows with my parents in New York and Paris. Fashion and style have always been natural for me, my parents taught me everything and I owe them everything [that I know]. I’ve always dressed differently though, without ever being extreme either. Wearing something cool, but special, and out-of-the-ordinary are my first thoughts when I look in my dressing room and that’s what I keep in mind during my creation process.

WTG: Who inspires you in the fashion industry?

AA: It’s actually more about my encounters in [day-to-day] life than big public figures. I fell in love with Marjan Jonkman the second I met her. She was walking for the last Paul and Joe fashion show and I felt there was something in her... I asked her if she was down for doing my campaign and she accepted right away. The fashion world noticed her soon after I did. Now, she’s a big It-girl! I’m so happy for her and proud that she’s part of this adventure. She’s my muse, it’s as simple as that! I also really like the Japanese brand Undercover and Jan Takahashi’s recent work.

WTG: What has been inspiring you recently and how does it feed back into your work?

AA: Music: it’s all about music! I rediscovered this great new-wave Italian band called Krisma. I’m so obsessed with them. Music affects how I'm feeling and therefore it sets the tone of the entire collection, [in this case] something very sharp and edgy.

WTG: Do you feel the industry has taken a significant interest in young designers at the moment?

AA: Absolutely – that’s why fashion industry invests more and more [in promoting] new talent. Demna Gvasalia, the designer of Vetements, is the perfect example: the fashion world was struck when it was announced that he would be taking over as artistic director of Balenciaga. Fashion institutions need to modernize their image and renew [in-keeping with] with today’s trends.

WTG: As a unisex designer, how do you feel about having menswear and womenswear being shown on the same Fashion Week runways at shows like Vetements, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci?

AA: I think it’s great to stop separating genders [on the runway]. Many things have changed in our generation: men's fashion has always influenced women's fashion and vice-versa. It’s time to abolish barriers, it’s much more straight-forward and simple since mentalities have [begun to] change. It's the future of fashion.

WTG: How do you picture guys and girls styling Garçons Infidèles?

AA: I actually think of couples all the time: like the girl who goes from the gym to meet up with her boyfriend and his friends making music. They share their youth, their love, the same tastes... and they can also share the same clothes!

WTG: There's a recurring design in your collection of two figures hugging, is that the couple you envision?

AA: I see where you['re trying to] lead me! I think I subconsciously thought about my love story with my ex-girlfriend Margaux Lonnberg, who is a fashion designer as well and a Parisian It-girl. The girl character [in my design] looks like her, blonde with that rock'n'roll style. It was just a little nod to her.

WTG: What’s your personal relationship with Paris? Does it have an influence on your work?

AA: I was born and raised in Paris. I’m very attached to my country and my city. France is magnificent, honestly. I don’t understand why so many Parisians are leaving. We sometimes think about the Parisian [as] being arrogant and patronizing, but that’s a cliché. Look at Serge Gainsbourg, he was charming, self-confident and didn't bother hanging around negative people. I try to follow his lead the best I can. Gainsbourg was such a fashion icon without even paying much attention to his appearance, the French touch is that [effortless Parisian] sort of vibe, you know what I mean?

WTG: What is it that makes your brand Parisian?

AA: My designs are [created] from the first step to the last in France. It’s my approved label and I am very proud of that. My pieces must be easy to wear and not complicated which corresponds to the cool and laid-back Parisian attitude.

WTG: As a fashion designer but also as DJ, which artists or type of music reflect the style of Garçons Infidèles?

AA: I’m friends with a French rock band called Nova Materia. The members, Eduardo and Caroline, [dress] from head-to-toe in Garçons Infidèles. I made my first video campaign with their music. They totally embody the spirit of my brand with their psychedelic, garage, post-punk tunes. Listening to their music is like being in an underground London club in the '80s – taking over all of your senses. My friend Moscoman, who is a DJ and a producer from Berlin, also gave me his music for the video. It’s a privilege having an artist like him [to work with]. He has this Berlin avante-garde [vibe] that completely fits with Garçons Infidèles. I would also love to collaborate and dress the members of the band La Femme.

WTG: What’s next for Garçons Infidèles?

AA: For the moment the brand is booming worldwide from Japan to Korea, Russia to the U.S. It's going to be so heartwarming when I start developing it in my own country, which is not the case yet... so many things are coming up at the same time. Lot, Stock and Barrel, my favorite shop in Los Angeles, is well-known for specializing in embroidery [and they] are going to sell my jackets – and customize them with exclusive designs. I am so excited to be the next one on the list after Levi's, Ralph Lauren, the famous denim company Girlfriend, and more recently ASOS. Also I can’t leave without talking to you one last time about music... I have this awesome project starting to mature: the creation of a music label, which I will name Garçons Infidèles, of course.